US4176460A - Opto-mechanical measuring system - Google Patents

Abstract

A measuring system includes mechanical measuring arms, adapted to engage an object to be measured, and mounted to control the positions of the vanes positioned to intercept beams of light in an optical system. The optical system includes a light beam directed to a plurality of photodetectors, whereby when the vane intercepts the light beam, the outputs of the photodetectors is a digital representation of the dimension being measured.

Description

This is a continuation-in-part of copending application Ser. No. 713,701 filed Aug. 12, 1976, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,112,579.

This invention relates to measuring systems, and is more particularly directed to the provision of a measuring system for ascertaining the physical dimensions of an object. It will be apparent that the measuring system of the invention is particularly adaptable to the measurement of the dimensions of cans, for example, aluminum cans, as a quality control feature in the production of such cans, although it will be apparent that the concept of the invention has further application.

In the past, various techniques have been employed for measuring the dimensions of cans, in order to insure that the cans have the proper dimensions, so that necessary steps may be taken in the production of the can, in order to avoid the production of off tolerance cans.

Such measuring techniques have generally been difficult and time consuming, and have required the use of skilled operators.

The present invention is therefore directed to the provision of a system wherein a number of types of measurements may be made an objects such as cans, by an unskilled operator, and wherein the measurements may be readily and economically taken, and may also be recorded without the need for manual writing.

Briefly stated, in accordance with the invention, a mechanical feeling system is provided, wherein mechanical calipers are mounted to engage the portions of a can to be measured. The mechanical measuring system is mechanically coupled to vanes in an optical measuring system. In the mechanical portion of the system the various calipers may be arranged, for example, to provide a pin which may project upwardly to measure the depth of the can, a measuring edge to measure the length of a can positioned between the measuring edge and a fixed stop, to measure the flange width of a can by determining the distance between a measuring edge engaging the internal wall of the can and a fixed stop, and to measure the wall thickness of the can by ascertaining the distance between a measuring pin engaging one side of the wall and a fixed pin engaging the other side of the wall of the can.

The optical portion of the measuring system includes a light source, such as an LED, with the image of the light from this source being directed to a row of photodetectors. The vanes of the mechanical system are positioned to selectively intercept the beam of light and cast a shadow onto the photodetector, whereby the output of the photodetector system may provide a digital representation of the measurement.

In a particular advantageous arrangement in accordance with the invention, the mechanical levers employed in making the various measurements may be provided with a common shaft, so that a single vane may be employed in the optical system to make a number of measurement.

In order that the invention will be more clearly understood, it will now be disclosed in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a simplified illustration of the principles of the optical portion of the measuring system in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a simplified perspective illustration of the mechanical system of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective illustration of a console for a measuring system in accordance with the invention, incorporating the arrangement of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates, in simplified form, the measurement of the length of a can having no flange;

FIG. 5 illustrates, in simplified form, the measurement of the length of a can having a flange;

FIG. 6 illustrates, in simplified form, the measurement of the width of the flange of a can;

FIG. 7 illustrates, in simplified form, the measurement of the depth of the bottom of a can;

FIG. 8 illustrates, in simplified form, the measurement of the wall thickness at the open end of a can;

FIG. 9 illustrates, in simplified form, the measurement of the wall thickness of a can displaced from the open end of a can, in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a control system in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram of one embodiment of a photodetector circuit for the system of FIG. 10.

Referring now to the drawings, and more in particular to FIG. 1, therein is illustrated a system for providing a digital output corresponding to a mechanical movement, which may be employed in the system of the invention. In this system the image of the light oflight source 10 is projected on a row ofphotodetectors 11, by a suitable optical system indicated by thelens 12. Thelight source 10 may be comprised, for example, of a point light source such as an LED or a small filament lamp energized by aconventional power source 13. Alogic circuit 14 is connected to the outputs of thephotodetectors 11, to product a digital output signal on theoutput terminal 15 corresponding to the number of energized photodetectors.

Avane 16 movable in the direction of thearrow 17 transversely of the optical axis of the detecting system, is positioned between the line of light source and the row of photodetectors, so that it may intercept the light beam to an extent, dependent upon its position.

As a consequence, it is apparent that the digital output signal at theterminal 15 wil be dependent upon the position of thevane 16.

The system of FIG. 1 may be arranged to provide an "optical" advantage, by proper spacing of the elements, in order to enable the determination of the movement of thevane 16. By adjusting the spacing A and B betweenlens 12,object 16 anddetector string 11, an optical magnification adjustment can be made to permit small insertional movements ofvane 16 into the light path to create large scale shadow displacement across thephotodetector string 11.

As an example, the photodetector and logic system employed in the arrangement of FIG. 1 may be a conventional digital line scan device, such as the Reticon Model RC16P digital line scan device, manufactured by the Reticon Company of Sunnyvale, California.

FIG. 2 illustrates in simple perspective form a measuring system, enabling the sequential measurement of a number of dimensions of an object such as a can, in accordance with the invention. The apparatus includes ashaft 20 journaled for rotation, for example, infixed bearings 21 and 22. In the preferred embodiment of the invention theshaft 20 is horizontal, although it wil be apparent that this orientation is not necessary in accordance with the invention. The ground plane positions indicate these component anchored above or below the working surface, shown also in FIG. 3. Alever 23 is affixed to the shaft, and has avane 24 positioned to selectively intercept the light beam directed between the line oflight source 25,lens 25A, and a row ofphotodetectors 26. It is, of course, apparent thatlight source 25,lens 25A andphotodetectors 26, as well as thevane 24, are arranged, as illustrated in FIG. 1, in a suitable optical imaging system, in accordance with conventional techniques. As a consequence, it is apparent that a digital output signal will appear in theoutput signal 27 of thephotodetectors 26, in dependence upon the angular displacement of theshaft 20.

Ameasuring lever 30 is provided on theshaft 20, thelever 30 having a feeler or knife-likemeasuring edge 31 aligned with a fixedstop 32. A variable distance indicated by thearrow 33 exists between thestop 32 and theedge 31, in dependence upon the angular displacement of theshaft 20. Theshaft 20 may be biased, for example, by means of a spring 34 extending between a fixed point on thelever 30 and a ground plane, so that themeasuring edge 31 is biased toward thestop 32. A further stop 90 (FIG. 3) engages thelever 30, to thereby limit the angular displacement of theshaft 20 in the direction of the resilient bias. If the operator now inserts an object into thespace 33, themeasuring edge 31 is moved away from thestop 32 by the object, creating the space, and enabling the object to be placed between themeasuring edge 31 and thestop 32. This enables the placement of an object to be measured between these elements such that themeasuring edge 31 will engage the object, and force it toward thestop 32, with motion being stopped when thestop 32 and themeasuring edge 31 both engage the object. At this time a digital signal will be produced at theterminal 27 corresponding to the final position of thearm 23 measuring edge with respect to thestop 32. The system may be calibrated so that the digital signal directly corresponds to a portion of the measureddistance 33. This correspondence is, of course, dependent upon the optical advantage of the optical system, as well as upon the mechanical advantage of the system, that is, the lengths of the various levers. For example, the mechanical advantage depends upon the ratio of the length of thearm 23 to thelength 38 of thearm 30 between its rotational axis and the point on theedge 31 which engages an object. In an actual embodiment of the invention, thelight detector 26 was comprised of a row of photodetectors on 0.002 inch centers, and the lens and photodetectors were spaced to give a 2 to 1 optical advantage. The length of thelever 23 between theshaft 20 and the point at which the vane intercepted the light beams, was equal to thelength 38 of thelever 30. As a consequence, the digital output at theterminal 27 incremented in steps corresponding to 0.001 inch variation in thedistance 33.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, thestop 32 has afirst edge 40 toward themeasuring edge 31, as well as astepped edge 41 further displaced from themeasuring edge 31. This arrangement is particularly advantageous in the measuring of lengths of cans. For example, the lengths of cans may be measured, in an actual measuring system, either with flanges on the ends of the can, or without such flanges. The distance between theedges 40 and 41 is spaced so that a can without flanges is too long to engage theedge 40, while a flanged can will automatically engage theedge 40 since it is shorter than a nonflanged can.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, alever 50 is also affixed to theshaft 20, the end of thelever 50 being formed as agear 51. Afurther lever 52 rotatable about anaxis 53, has agear 54 on one end thereof engaging thegear 51. A feeler or measuringpin 55 is provided on thelever 52, on the end thereof away from thegear 54.

Themeasuring pin 55 is particularly adapted to the measurement of the distance between the bottom of a can, and the height of the dome therein. For this purpose, thepin 55 extends upwardly and coaxially through acup 56 having upwardly extending edges for receiving a can. Thus, a can (not shown) may be exposed in thecup 56, with its axis extending vertically, so that the bottom rim of the can engages the bottom of the cup, and thepin 55 is positioned to engage the center of the dome of the bottom of the can, the position of the pin when it engages the dome of the bottom of the can thus providing a determination of thedistance 58 as indicated in FIG. 2. In this instance, it is apparent that the measurement of the distance between the bottom of the can and the dome thereof is determined by placing the can in thecup 56, which rotates theshaft 20. When theshaft 20 is thus rotated, thearm 23 will move accordingly with the top of the dome, and the digital output at the terminal 27 will hence correspond to that measureddistance 58. It will be noted that thegears 51 and 54 have been provided in the system in order to reverse the direction of movement of thepin 55 with respect to that of thelever 30, so that the same measuring system may be employed for effecting both measurements. Thecup 56 may be externally threaded, and fitted into a fixed threadedring 59, to enable the calibration of the initial distance between the bottom of thecup 56 and the top of thepin 55 at its rest position. This feature enables adjustment of the depth measurement. In the above example, the lengths of thelevers 23 and 50 were equal, and equal to the length of thelever 52 on each side of its axis of rotation. As a consequence, the digital output at the terminal 27 incremented in steps corresponding to 0.001 inch displacement of thepin 55.

In a still further feature of the measuring system in accordance with the invention anadditional lever 65 is provided, pivoted about anaxis 66. Thelever 65 is movable independently of the previously discussed mechanical elements of the system. Avane 67 is provided on one end of thelever 65, and a feeler or measuringpin 68 is provided on the other end thereof. Thevane 67 is positioned to selectively intercept the beams of light between a furtherlight source 69 andlens 69A, and the row ofphotodetectors 26. Anarm 70 has oneend 71 thereof affixed to a suitable surface, with theother end 72 thereof extending in alignment with the measuringpin 68. A measuringpin 73 may be provided on theend 72 of thearm 70, to define ameasuring distance 74 between the ends of thepin 73 and 68. Thepin 73 may be vertically adjusted for calibration by means of an adjusting screw located directly above thepin 73 on thearm 70. Thelever 65 may be biased, for example, by means of aspring 75, so that theend 68 is resiliently urged toward thepin 73. Thelever 65 may be provided with an extension, such as theextension 76, to enable the operator to move thelever 65 manually in opposition to the bias of thespring 75. Preferably, however, an electrically operated solenoid S is provided for moving thelever 65 in opposition to thespring 75, in order to enable the insertion of an object to be measured at this measuring station of the apparatus. The combination of thelever 65 and the fixedarm 70 are particularly adapted for the measurement of the wall thickness of a can. Thus, upon the activation of the solenoid S by the operator, the open end of a can may be inserted over theend 72 of the fixed arm. Upon release of the solenoid S, thepin 68 will be moved upwardly, to effect the variation in the position of thevane 67, and hence the variation in the output of thedetector 26. As a cnsequence, the digital output of thedetector 26 may correspond to thedimension 74, that is, the wall thickness of the can. The fixedarm 70 has been provided in order to enable the measurement of the thickness of the wall at various positions along the length of the can, so that the thickness of the flange may be measured when the can is just inserted over thearm 70, and the thickness of the wall proper of the can may be measured when the can is moved further into the throat of thearm 70.

In order to enable use of acommon detector 26, it will be apparent that suitable conventional means may be provided for selectively energizing thelight sources 25 and 69. The use of thecommon photodetector 26 is, of course, particularly desirable, since only a single source of digital output signals is provided, thereby facilitating the incorporation of the system of the invention in a measuring apparatus. In an actual system in accordance with the invention, thesource 69 is a single LED, thesource 69 was positioned to provide a 5 to 1 optical advantage, and the length of thelever 65 between theaxis 66 and thevane 67 was four times the length of the lever between theaxis 66 and thepin 68. As a consequence, the digital output at the terminal 27 incremented in steps corresponding to 0.0001 inch displacement of the measuringpin 68 with respect to the fixedpin 73.

It will, of course, be apparent that the optical and mechanical systems may be arranged to provide other optical and mechanical advantages, respectively, as desired. While it may have been possible to measure thedistance 74 by means of a further lever system affixed to theshaft 20, in accordance with the invention in view of the difference in required accuracies of measurement, it was found much more expedient to employ aseparate lever 65 in combination with a separatelight source 69.

The arrangement of FIG. 2 thereby provides a system whereby the various measurements may be made on a can, sequentially, for example, in order to control the quality of the cans being produced on a can making machine.

It will, of course, be apparent that the principles of measurement of the system of FIG. 2 may be incorporated in the measuring of other types of objects.

FIG. 3 illustrates the external view of the console incorporating the measuring system of FIG. 2, in accordance with the invention. Referring now to FIG. 3, the housing of the console has a measuringsurface 80, from which a plurality of can guide pins 81 extend vertically, to enable the horizontal positioning of the can on the surface between the guides. Thelever 30 extends upwardly through a slot in thesurface 80, with the measuringedge 31 thereof aligned with respect to the pins 81, to engage the bottom edge of one end of a can resting on thesurface 80. Thestop 32 is positioned on thesurface 80 to engage the bottom edge of the other end of the can. If desired, thestop 32 may be positioned on the edge of a slide 82 having acentral slot 83. A mountingscrew 84 extends to the slot into thesurface 80 to hold the slide 82 in position. In order to permit slight adjustments of the position of thestop 32, an abutment 85 may be provided extending from thesurface 80, and having an adjustment screw 86 extending therethrough to engage aplate 87 at the end of the slide away from thestop 32. Thus, if thescrew 84 is slightly loosened, the adjustment screw 86 may be adjusted to finally position thestop 32. If it is desired to measure cans of different lengths, then thesurface 80 of the console may be provided with further abutments of the type of abutment 85, so that the slide 82 may be positioned at different distances from the measuringedge 31. An adjustable fixed stop in the form of anabutment 90 may be provided on thesurface 80 slightly spaced from the measuringedge 31, and acylinder 91 may be provided on the surface surrounding the projecting end of thelever 30, so that the measuringedge 31 extends through anaxially extending slot 92 in thecylinder 91. With this arrangement, the open end of a flanged can may be inserted over thecylinder 91, with the radially outward edge of the flange engaging the edge of theabutment 90 toward the measuringedge 31. As a consequence, the measuringedge 31 will engage the inner wall of the can, so that the position of the measuringedge 31 is dependent upon the width of the flange of the can. As a consequence, the output of thephotodetector 26 of the arrangement of FIG. 2 may further provide a measurement of the flange width of the can.

Thecup 56 also projects from thesurface 80 with the measuringpin 55 extending upwardly to the center of thecup 56, in order to enable depth measurements on the can. In addition, the fixedarm 70 is mounted on thesurface 80, with the measuringpin 68 extending upwardly through a hole in thesurface 80 aligned with the fixedpin 73 on the underside of thearm 70. Thereby, the operator may lay a can on thesurface 80, to slip the can over the free end of thearm 70, to enable measurement of the wall thickness of the can. The position of the upper fixedpin 73 may be adjustable, as previously described.

FIGS. 4-9 illustrate various positions of thecan 95 being measured. Thus, FIG. 4 illustrates the position of thecan 95, when its length is to be measured, and the open end of the can has no flange. In this measurement, theopen end 96 of the can engages theedge 41 of thestop 32, whereas the bottom 97 of the can engages the measuringedge 31, so that the output of the instrument provides an indication of the height of the can.

On the other hand, when thecan 95 has aflange 90 at its open end, theflange 98 engages theedge 40 of thestop 92. If theflange 98 were to be positioned to engage theedge 41, the instrument would provide no reading, since the measuringedge 31 would be positioned beyond its reading values. Similarly, a reading cannot be obtained if theunflanged edge 96 engages theedge 40 of thestop 32.

In a measurement of the flange width, as illustrated in FIG. 6, theflange 98 engages thestop 90, with thecan 95 extending over thecylinder 91. The inside wall of thecan 95 is engaged by the measuringedge 31.

In a measurement of the thickness at the open end of a can where a flange will be formed, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the open end of the can is inserted over thearm 70 just sufficiently that the end of the can is positioned between the measuringpin 68 and the fixedpin 73. On the other hand, as illustrated in FIG. 9, in order to measure the center wall thickness of the can, thecan 95 is inserted over thearm 70 so that a more central position on the can is positioned between the measuringpin 68 and the fixedpin 73.

The console illustrated in FIG. 3 may be provided with further features. For example, lights 100 may be positioned adjacent the various measuring stations, in order to indicate to an operator the next measurement to be taken. This is particularly useful in a system wherein the measurements are to be taken in a desired sequence, for example, for recording, and the apparatus includes a programming circuit. For example, a light 100 may be positioned adjacent thestop 90, to indicate that the next measurement is to be the measurement of the width of a flange. A light 100 adjacent the slide 82 indicates that a can is to be positioned to measure the can height. A light 100 adjacent the open end of thearm 70 indicates the next measurement is to be a measurement of the thickness of the can wall at its rolled end, and a light positioned adjacent the throat of thearm 70 indicates that a can is to be positioned to measure the wall thickness at a position spaced from the end. A still further light adjacent thecup 56 indicates that the can must next be positioned in thecup 56 to enable the measurement of its depth.

Adigital display 110 may be provided on the console, in order to enable the operator to see the results of the measurement. It is particularly advantageous if standard values for the upper and lower limits of each of the measurements are stored in the system, whereby thedisplay 110 indicates the deviation from the standard value of the upper and lower limits, either positively or negatively. Acontrol 114 is provided on the console to effect the release of the calipers for each measurement, thereby corresponding to the electrical release for the solenoid S of FIG. 2. Alternatively,control 114 could be used formechanical release 76, or to mechanically rotate thelever 30 to open the measuringspace 33 to accept an object.

Since various cans may have different standards, such as thickness of the material and size of the cans, the console may be provided withpushbuttons 115 enabling the operator to enter the particular type of can that is to be measured, so that the standard values corresponding to such cans are compared with the cans actually being measured. In addition, the console may be provided with adisplay 116 programmed to provide instructions to the operator, that is, to specifically identify in suitable text the next step that the operator is to perform. This display may, of course, be programmed by conventional techniques.

The measuring system in accordance with the invention thereby enables an operator to physically measure an object with a minimum contribution of time and effort. It guides the operator, on line, in a conversational mode, by use of thedisplay 116, through a series of preprogrammed steps in the inspection operation. For individual tests, the display 111 and its thumbwheel switch 112 can operate to take the system off line, and individual measurements may be performed as desired by entering the appropriate code, shown in the display 111. Thedisplay 110 then displays each such measurement, and can also display identification of the test if desired, by entry of codes throughpushbuttons 113. No other gauges or tools are required for the operation of the apparatus. The results of the various tests may also be recorded, by conventional techniques. Since the measuring system in accordance with the invention operates on an optical principle, it requires only very slight force on the object, such as cans, being measured. It is not necessary to activate clamps or hold-downs of any kind before a measurement is to be made, and thus when a programmed console is employed, it is merely necessary to push a button, such as the "enter"control button 117, in order to enable entry of the measurement. Since the measurements are digital, they are readily understandable. It has been found that accuracies of up to 0.0001 inches may be obtained with the system. Further, in actual measurements, it has been found that the force exerted on the can being measured is only about 3 grams to 4 grams, so that the readings are repeatable and the walls of cans, for example, aluminum cans, are not deformed.

The electronic circuitry of the invention may be implemented by a microprocessor, for example, in the manner illustrated in the block diagram of FIG. 10. This system incorporates a basiccentral processing unit 120 of conventional deisgn including, for example, a microprocessor chip and conventionally interconnected ROMs, RAMs, buffers, clock and interface chips. In accordance with the program stored in theCPU 120, the CPU directs the activities of the operator. When the equipment has been turned on, depression of the "start"button 121 effects the start of the program, or the resetting of the equipment to return it to the initial program steps. Initially, in a preferred mode of operation, this signals the CPU to display, in the alpha-numeric display 116, instructions for the operator to provide certain data, such as identification of the operator, identification of the test run, etc. In response to this, the operator depresses thekeys 113 in accordance with the required information, and this information may also be displayed on the alpha-numeric display 116 under the control of the CPU.

Following the receipt of this information, the program continues to instruct the operator to commence a testing cycle. The instructions may be in the form of a readable order or instruction displayed on the alpha-numeric device 116, accompanied by the lighting of thelamp 100 adjacent to the testing device on which the test is to be made.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the operator then depresses the "control"button 114 to release the calipers in the system, and insert the device to be tested at the selected station. Upon release of thebutton 114, the measurement value is displayed on thenumeric display device 110. Under the control of the CPU, the display digits are moved to the storage area of the CPU for later processing if required. The operator then depresses the "enter"button 117, which directs the CPU to receive the output of thephotodetector circuit 122, so that the digital representation of the measurement indicated by thephotodetectors 26 of FIG. 2 will be inputted to the CPU.

In order to provide more useful data, in some instances, the data may be in the form of deviation from a standard value. For this purpose, standard values may be stored, for example, in the ROMs, in the CPU system, corresponding to the product that the equipment will be employed to test. The selector switches 115 must thereby be set by the operator to the type of product that will be measured, so that the stored standard value to be used will correspond to the product being tested. Accordingly, the display on thedisplay device 110 may thereby show the positive or negative deviation of the measured value from the standard value. If the measured value deviates by more than a determined amount from the stored standard value, this may be an indication that the operator had not correctly selected theswitches 115, and accordingly, the program in this case may be designed to display an additional instruction to the operator on the alpha-numeric display device 116, to either check these switches, or to correct the error.

Further, the program may be set up to instruct the repetition of the measurement of the product, for example, at different angular or other positions, before proceeding to the measurement of the product at another measurement station.

The console may also be provided with an erasecontrol 123, in order to enable the operator to erase and correct inproperly entered information by way of thekeyboard keys 113.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the data measured may be printed on aconventional printing device 124 interconnected by suitable interface to theCPU 120. As a result, a permanent record of the test may be available, for later use if necessary.

In addition, aconventional communication interface 125 may be connected to the CPU, to enable the application of the measured data toterminal 126 for transmission to another location. For example, this data may be directed to production line control equipment, or to central control or information storage devices.

As discussed above, theCPU 120 is of conventional construction. For example, the CPU may incorporate an Intel 8080A microprocessor chip, with a type 8224 clock and conventional data and address buffers. The RAMs and ROMs are also connected to the corresponding buffers in conventional manner and are herein considered to form a part of the CPU.

Considering the peripheral devices as discussed above, the alpha-numeric and numeric display devices may be comprised of conventional seven segment displays connected in a conventional manner to receive energization instructions from the CPU. In addition, theindicators 100 may comprise LEDs also connected to the CPU. The CPU thus may include peripheral interfaces, such as type 8255 programmable peripheral interfaces, connected to the address buffers, to enable the illumination of the desired digits, segments, etc.

Thecommunication interface 125 may comprise, for example, a type AY5-1013A chip, interconnected in the conventional manner to the CPU.

Theprinter 124 is also of conventional design, and interfaced by conventional means with the CPU.

The erase control and "enter" control may comprise conventional switches and thekeyboard keys 113 may also comprise conventional keyboard switches.

Suitable techniques for interconnecting the devices in the CPU, as well as the peripheral equipment to theCPU 120 are disclosed, for example, in "Intel 8080 Microcomputer System Users Manual", Intel Corporation, Santa Clara, California, 1975.

FIG. 11 discloses a circuit that has been satisfactorily employed for the photodetector circuit. This circuit employs, as a basic element, a Reticon type RL128G photodetector 130. The clock input to the photodetector chip 130 is received from the CPU, and the start signal for this photodetector chip is also received from the CPU, in response to the depression of the "enter" button. The output of the photodetector chip 130, digitally represents the number of photocell elements exposed to illumination in the form of a series of pulses, and these pulses are outputted to the CPU by way of a conventional buffer 131.

While the invention has been described and disclosed with reference to a single mbodiment, it will be apparent that variations and modifications may be made therein, and it is therefore intended in the following claims to cover each such variation and modification as falls within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (12)

What is claimed is:

1. A quality control apparatus comprising:

a plurality of test stations, each having means for manually receiving an article of a given type and means for measuring a separate type of parameter of said article,

alphanumeric indicating means,

means coupled to each of said measuring means for producing digital signals corresponding to the parameter measured at the respective station, said digital signal producing means comprising a common digital signal generating means for all of said stations,

control means including a program memory and connected to display instructions on said indicating means sequentially directing the insertion of an article at said station by an operator, and

means connected to apply said digital signals to said indicating means for sequentially displaying data thereon corresponding to the respective parameter measured.

2. The quality control apparatus of claim 1, wherein said measuring means comprises mechanical measuring means at each of said stations.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said program memory comprises means for directing the making of a given plurality of measurements immediately sequential to one another at each station, and means for correlating the measurements in response thereto with nominal values corresponding to the respective stations.

4. The quality control apparatus of claim 3 wherein said control means includes means for displaying data on said indicating means corresponding to the deviation of respective displayed parameters from nominal values.

5. The quality control system of claim 4, wherein said control means includes means controlling the indicating means to separately indicate excess deviation of displayed data from the corresponding measured data.

6. The quality control apparatus of claim 1, comprisng operator controllable means for initiating the application of digital signals to said indicating means.

7. The quality control apparatus of claim 1, further comprising operator controllable means for producing digital signals for identifying an article to be tested.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a separate indicator light positioned at each of said stations, said control means comprising means for energizing a light corresponding to a station in accordance with the displayed alphanumeric instructions.

9. The quality control apparatus of claim 1, further comprising means for recording data corresponding to said displayed data.

10. The quality control apparatus of claim 1, wherein said control means comprises a central processing unit.

11. The quality control apparatus of claim 10, wherein said central processing unit has stored therein standard data corresponding to measurements of different parameters, and means for comparing said standard values with measured values for display in said alphanumeric indicating means, said quality control apparatus further comprising operator controllable switch means for selecting said standard value stored in said CPU, whereby said testing means may be employed for testing a plurality of different products.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising operator controllable keyboard means connected to said central processing unit to enable entry of determined information on said alphanumeric indicator means in response to determined instructions from said central processing unit.

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